Please just make it.
Off the bat, let’s just say that it’s refreshing to see an automaker be blunt about something. Infiniti, to their credit here, said that the Q Inspiration Concept was meant to be a study in which direction the brand’s visual design could (and should) go over the next few years. In a nutshell, that’s what we got.
Infiniti’s newest show car might look like it’s from the next decade, but chisel away the overtly futuristic cues, and we’re left with quite a conventional formula - and one that’s a marked step forward in getting to where we reckon the brand wants to be in terms of perception and desirability.
Clean lines and subtle contours define the exterior, with very little to interrupt its pebble-like overall shape, using hidden ducts and neatly integrated cutouts for elements such as the air intakes and illumination. The long and low bonnet flows into the rounded, coupe-like passenger glasshouse that has it’s transparent roof taper all the way to the tail, a shape that’s become more and more popular in larger sedans, but not quite as shapely as this.
The Q Inspiration looks undeniably sporty with its large alloys wheels, hunkered down stance, and road contact points pushed to the far corners. And though it does indeed feature many of the autonomous features that Infiniti and parent company Nissan have been developing over the past few years - called ProPilot - the new concept clearly wants to be seen as a fun to drive above all else.
In short, there’s quite a lot to like about the direction Infiniti is going with their exterior and interior design, which thus far has been characterised by rather handsome cars that have been tinged with deliberate cues/quirks to mark it off as distinct. By embracing more universally accepted design elements uncluttered by a driving urge to stand out, this might be the start of an Infiniti that consistently produces cars to wow buyers and onlookers alike.
On penning the Q Inspiration, Karim Habib, executive design director at Infiniti said that it “will take the traditional sedan architecture to its next stage of evolution. A shift towards smarter, more compact and less intrusive powertrains; we were able to create an alternative form with flowing gestures, more engaging in character and more enriching in experience. With its long cabin, balanced proportions and muscular stance, the concept heralds in a new era for INFINITI models."
As a concept, being more rooted in norms extends to the Q Inspiration’s mechanicals too, of which it actually has some. Far from explaining away the actual propulsive bits of the car through a mysterious black box attached to terms like ‘electrified’ and ‘zero emissions’, Infiniti actually fitted it with their newest production engine that’s due to be have its market debut in the all-new QX50, where it generates 200kW and 380Nm.
It’s a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder that uses their innovative ‘VC-Turbo’ technology, continually adjusting its cylinder compression ratios to selectively boost power or improve fuel consumption, the first production engine to do so. They say the new motor is able to provide the torque and efficiency of a hybrid or diesel without the complexity or the particulate output of either.
Packaging the relatively small displacement engine in such a way to maximise interior space was a cornerstone of the Q Inspiration’s design priorities, and likely one that Infiniti will focus on with their forthcoming cars. It’s likely, then, that they’ve shoved the motor as far forward as possible, allowing a cabin that’s airy and well-spaced with plenty of rear leg room and a surprising amount of headroom by the looks of things.
Speaking of which, Infiniti wishes to express their new interior aesthetic with the Q Inspiration as well, emphasising minimalism. The central tunnel is bereft of controls with the exception of a protruding surface that we assume to be the gearshift selector, and past that we have a touch sensitive surface intermediate screen displaying media and other controls.
The dashboard is a clean piece of wood or artificial fibre sculpted from a single piece, out of which the steering column and sporty flat-bottom wheel sprout, with a digital screen that runs from corner to corner that would show any nugget of important information to both driver and passenger(s). Again, it’s very modern and exudes high quality design and craftsmanship, but without going overboard in sacrificing the ergonomics or overemphasising technology.
For more on Infiniti cars, check out our Showroom.
